08 February 2016
INVENT 2016 launches today as five previous winners return from a recent Tech Mission to California where they made the most of the amazing opportunity to pitch to investors and prospective customers in the US.
Northern Ireland has long been renowned for its historic contribution to global innovation and the INVENT 2016 Awards is seeking out the latest world changing inventions to ensure that we continue that tradition.
If you have an invention and can prove it works in principle, we want to help you build a global business!
Companies and inventors across Northern Ireland can demonstrate their prowess through the hugely popular INVENT 2016 awards. The highly respected annual award programme, run by NISP CONNECT and sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK. INVENT recognises innovations that have the greatest commercial potential. Entrants will compete for a share of a £33,000 prize fund and a space on the 2017 Tech Mission to California.
INVENT 2016 is now OPEN for applicants across the six categories below. If you have been working on a new innovative product or solution in these areas, please apply now! Entrants will be accepted until MIDNIGHT on FRIDAY 8th APRIL via the website www.invent2016.co.
- Agri-Science
- Creative Media / Consumer Internet
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Enterprise Software
- Life and Health
INVENT is much more than a competition as contestants join a community of inventors and entrepreneurs and gain access to an ecosystem of shared success. Lorraine Martin, CTO ProAxsis, Winner 2013,said, “Since winning, ProAxsis has raised investment, recruited a scientific and commercial team, and secured contracts with global companies. The Awards provided validation of my business plan convincing me to continue to persevere. The benefits have been immeasurable, because INVENT opens a treasure trove of like-minded people who provide inspiration and support to entrepreneurs.”
“The variety of innovations that applied to INVENT last year was immense, from eco-friendly surfboards to video analytics software to pest-controlling nemotodes. We want entrepreneurs and wantrepreneurs to lift the lid on their proof-of-concept stage inventions. The potential in this country is incredible. Come on, Northern Ireland, let’s see what you’re made of!” said Peter Edgar, NISP CONNECT Programme Manager.
“INVENT is a chance for our NISP CONNECT network to come together to help our inventors reach unlimited potential for success, “continued Peter Edgar. “Why wouldn’t you get involved?”
Ian Sheppard, Head of Business and Corporate Banking at Bank of Ireland UK said: “Bank of Ireland is delighted to support INVENT 2016. Helping to connect businesses across Northern Ireland is a key part of what we do. INVENT provides our entrepreneurs of the future with exciting opportunities to engage and develop invaluable insights at a critical stage in their business lifecycle, such as access to high calibre business founders like Brian Conlon of First Derivatives or the commercial contacts on the TechMission to San Francisco.”
Last year 80 applicants competed for 24 semi-finalist spots. Twelve finalists were chosen from each category, and one grand prize was awarded to Pico Puf, a powerful cyber security solution that creates unique ‘fingerprint’ identification for any device in the Internet of Things. This month Pico Puf travelled to California on Tech Mission, as part of its prize package. Also in 2015, Brian Conlon of First Derivatives was awarded the Innovation Founder award, Northern Ireland’s most prestigious business accolade.
INVENT 2015 finalist and winner of the Creative Media and Consumer Internet category, Rachel Gawley, CEO of AppAttic, said, “What does INVENT mean to me? INVENT opened an entirely new network of people to my company, AppAttic. It forced me to grow personally in key business areas including strengthening my pitching skills. And the Tech Mission was like the cherry on top, where we made important business connections on the West Coast US.”
Press contact
Emily McDaid | Emily.mcdaid@nispconnect.org | 07456094649
ABOUT NISP CONNECT
NISP CONNECT is an independent, non-profit organisation that supports the development of innovative technologies and early stage companies through a series of educational seminars, mentorship programmes, capital competitions and public policy advocacy.
Based on a model originally founded as a part of the University of California (UC) San Diego in the mid-80s, NISP CONNECT catalyses the creation of innovative technology and life sciences products in Northern Ireland by linking inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources they need for success.
The programmes are driven by the findings of the Northern Ireland Knowledge Economy Index (KEI) and are guided by the pro bono contributions of experienced entrepreneurs and executives.
We inspire entrepreneurship, develop a talent pool, leverage networks to solve problems, and connect NI’s most experienced to expedite NI’s most promising.